FOOD SERVICE WARE ORDINANCE TYPES
This table provides an overview of types of ordinances enacted to regulate food service ware items, listed in order from basic to most progressive efforts. To further differentiate between ordinances, view the 1-page overviews provided below, which summarise the key ordinance elements for each ordinance type. Download PDF of table
| Ordinance Type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Overviews & Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Bans expanded polystyrene food service ware items at food vendors | – Easy to implement
– Long track record of successful adoptions |
– ‘Low hanging fruit ordinance’
– Leaves out other major plastic pollution |
Type A – Overview – San Jose Ord. 28298 |
| B | Bans ALL polystyrene (rigid and expanded) food service ware at food vendors | – Picks up other polystyrene items like Solo cups, straws, stirrers, and utensils if made of polystyrene
– Addresses styrene leaching more fully – Stepping stone to more comprehensive ordinances |
– Does not capture ‘other’ plastics (only #6)
– Difficult to enforce due to item labelling issues – Possible social resistance due to inconvenience – Does not stop retail sales of polystyrene food service ware |
Type B – Overview – Hermosa Beach Ord. 12-1332 |
| C | Bans ALL polystyrene food service ware at food vendors + bans retail sales | – Picks up other polystyrene items like Solo cups, straws, stirrers, and utensils if made of polystyrene
– Addresses styrene leaching more fully – Stepping stone to more comprehensive ordinances – Bans retail sales as well as food service usage |
– Does not capture ‘other’ plastics (only #6)
– Difficult to enforce due to item labelling issues – Possible social resistance due to inconvenience |
Type C – Overview – Manhattan Beach Ord. 13-0009 plus 14-0003 |
| D | Bans ALL polystyrene food service ware + bans any type of plastic straw/stirrer/utensil at food vendors | – Eliminates confusion about applicability of plastic types of straws/stirrers/ utensils
– Enhanced litter mitigation |
– Does not address non-polystyrene items where recycling is not effective
– Maintains dependence on recycling facilities – Does not stop retail sales of items |
Type D – Overview – Malibu Ord. 412 plus 432 |
| E | Bans ALL polystyrene food service ware + bans any type of plastic straw/stirrer/utensil at food vendors + bans retail sales | – Eliminates confusion about applicability of plastic types of straws/stirrers/utensils
– Enhanced litter mitigation – Bans retail sales as well as food service usage |
– Does not address non-polystyrene items where recycling is not effective
– Maintains dependence on recycling facilities |
Type E – Overview – Manhattan Beach Ords. through 19-0009 |
| F | Bans ALL polystyrene food service ware + specifies standards for allowable food service ware alternatives | – Most direct effort to eliminate single-use food service ware plastics from the marine environment | – Limited availability of marine degradable food service ware
– Changing scientific standard for marine degradability – Not good option where industrial composting infrastructure not available |
Type F – Overview – Santa Monica Ords. 2216 plus 2586 |
| G | Comprehensive ban on single-use plastic food service ware + PFAS ban + minimum recycled content goals | – Progressive elimination of single-use plastics with extended protection against fluorinated chemicals
– Mandates recycled content goals |
– Challenge of obtaining PFAS-free food service ware until manufacturers catch up | Type G – Overview – San Francisco Ords. through 294-18 |
| H | Comprehensive ban on single-use plastic food service ware + elements to mandate usage of reusables at dine-in food service facilities + fees charged for use of disposable food service ware | – Direct reduction of single-use disposable food service ware at dine-in facilities
– Upcoming elimination of intentionally added fluorinated chemicals |
– Dependent on existing dishwashing capabilities and/or available space in existing restaurant facilities, or on the availability and usage of outside dishwashing services | Type H – Overview – Berkeley Ord. 7639 – Berkeley Ord. 5886 |
